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Plane crashed on second attempt to land in heavy fog in Alaska, killing all 8 aboard, officials say

Associated Press (wire) · back to the audit
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — A plane that crashed at a remote military site in Alaska, killing all eight people on board, was making its second runway approach in heavy fog when it lost contact, authorities said Friday.

The National Transportation Safety Board is sending a six-person team to the site and the Federal Aviation Administration is also sending one investigator, Clint Johnson, the chief for NTSB's Alaska region, told reporters during a press briefing.

Johnson said the flight left Anchorage at 9:15 a.m. local time and crashed around 11:45 a.m. The pilots were with Security Aviation, an Anchorage-based charter company, and they were navigating solely by their instruments because of the weather, Johnson said. They had already made one missed approach to the runway and lost contact with Anchorage on their second attempt at landing.

The plane was later found about a quarter-mile from the runway on rising terrain and the wreckage was highly fragmented.

"Obviously getting there is going to be a challenge," Johnson said. "we're probably going to end up having to charter an airplane down there ourselves." Once removed by helicopter, the wreckage will likely have to be flown out on a cargo plane for examination.

The plane, a Cessna 441, had taken off from Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport and was bound for Cape Newenham Long Range Radar Site Airport, approximately 450 miles west of Anchorage, according to U.S. Air Force Alaskan Command.

Two U.S. Army Corps of Engineers employees were among the eight who were killed, the military confirmed Friday. Their identities would be released 24 hours after their families found out.

Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said in a statement: "I join Alaskans in condolences as we learn of the plane crash in Cape Newenham today. I've traveled extensively with Security Aviation throughout Alaska, and have met many of their experienced pilots. I appreciate the U.S. Coast Guard, NTSB, Alaska State Troopers, and the Rescue Coordination Center for responding to the site. Alaska is praying for those on board, their loved ones, and the team at Security Aviation."